PM Lee congratulates S R Nathan on receiving Singapore's highest award

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (AFP/File - Matt Rourke) SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday congratulated former president S R Nathan on being conferred the nation's highest award -- The Order of Temasek, First Class. The prime minister acknowledged Mr Nathan's many contributions to Singapore over the years and said that the award was the country's token of appreciation for him. Mr Lee was speaking to reporters at a National Day Observance ceremony at Teck Ghee Primary, attended by some 1,000 students and residents. Drumming up the National Day spirit were students from Teck Ghee Primary, dressed up in Singapore colours. PM Lee visited the school for his traditional National Day Observance ceremony in his ward. Tina Aw, a student at Teck Ghee Primary, said: "I'm very proud to be a Singaporean, to be here to celebrate our National Day together with the prime minister; I've never met the prime minister before, so I'm very excited to see him." Participants also sang the national anthem and recited the pledge, while students entertained the audience with modern and traditional dances. The highlight of the ceremony was a cake-cutting by the prime minister to mark Singapore's 48th birthday. - CNA/jc